Lacing-cord fastener or detainer for corsets



(No Mode1.\.

M. R. BARKER. LACING CORD FASTBNER 0R DETAINER FOR GORSETS.

No. 551,356. Patented Dec. 17,1895.

MPHUTa-Lmq. WASHING NITED STATE-s PATENT OFFICE.

MARTHA R. BARKERLOF AVONDALE, OHIO,

LAC|NG=CORD FASTENER OR DETAINER FOR CORSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part lof Letters Patent No. 551,356, dated December 17, 1,895.

Application filed September 7, 1895. SerialfNo. 561,750. (No model.)

To all whoml t may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTHA R. BARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Avondale, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Lacing-Oord Fasteners or Detainers for Corsets and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for application to and preventing the slipping of corset-laces on the shaping or lacing lines where the tension is greatest and the shaping-outline should be maintained; and my invention consists in the novel features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying` drawings, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a corset, showing my invention applied to the lacing-cord thereof; Fig. 2, a broken cross-section of the division to the right, Fig. l, on an enlarged scale, showing one of my devices in an eyelet-hole and tightly engaging the lacing-cord; Fig. 3, a central transverse section of one of my fas- Ifeners, showing the two parts thereof separated; and Fig. 4, a plan of the detaching member of my fastener or clamp, showing sockets therein for the operating-key or ordinary spanner seen in elevation in the same view.

A and A represent the two sections or divisions of a corset, having the usual eyeletholes a a and lacing-cord B.

My fastener comprises two clamping members C and D. O represents the detaching or separating male member of my clamping fastener, and D the socket or female member thereof.

Member C is composed of a disk having a flat inner face, from the center of which projects a short screw-threaded shank c. It has, also, a slightly-convex outer face provided with a transverse groove or slot c.

Member D is composed of a thinflat disk having on its inner face a central internallythreaded upright or socket d., to accommodate the said screw-shank c.

In the operation of my device to maintain a perfectly-tight fit and the proper outline or shape that will not break or loosen at the waist-line (between the lines x x and y y) the corset is put on the wearer and laced or drawnto the desired fit and the ends of the lacing-cord properly tied. Then it is removed, with the lacing-cord in the position it assumed while the corset was temporarily iitted on said wearer. Then the socket members of the fasteners are inserted from the inner face of the sectionsA and A, with their disks lying flat against the cords, and finally the male members of said fasteners are applied from the outer face of said sections, with their screw-shanks engaging the socket members and turned up tightly till the iiat inner faces of their disks iirmly engage and clamp the laces, thereby absolutely preventing the slipping of the latter through the eyelets vin either direction. The slots c/ enable the use of a screwdriver or similar tool in properly adjusting the male members of the fasteners to and from binding place. Instead of the said slots, a pair of sockets e e may be provided, and a spanner or key E used to adjust said male members. The latter device would probably be the better form, as the key E would be flat and small, and thereby adapted to be conveniently carried by the wearer.

I have shown two pairs of my fasteners or clamp-detainers in position, one pair along each of the lines a@ and y y, to provide for tight lacing at the waist-line, as stated, thus preventing any looseness or slack in the lacing-cord above and below said lines (on the bust or hip lines) from affecting the tension or strain therein and maintaining the desired shape throughout said entire waist-line; but it is obvious that I can also use my fasteners on the hip-line, should the wearer desire to lace or strain the corset over the hips when having very full or large hip measurement, and also on the bust-line above, if desired, the latter being seldom required.

It will be seen that both parts of my fasteners lie flat upon the lacing-cords, and, their disks being very thin and both practically iiat, they do not bulge or project inward or outward to either painfully press upon the back of the wearer or cause the outer cover or dress to become unsightly on account of protuberances or lumps as heretofore raised therein when knots were made in the cords at the lacing-points.

Should it be desired at any time to release IOO the lacing-cord for either loosening or further tightening the'same, replacing, or other purpose, it is Obvious that the clamps could be readily adj usted or loosened by simply applying the Operating screwdriver or Spanner (as the case might be) to their respective outer or male members and the object intended quickly and easily attained.

I claim- The combination With a corset composed Of the sections A and A having eyelet-h0les constructed along their rear edges and a lacing-cord strung through or engaging said eyelet-holes, Of two Or more fasteners Or detainer-clamps each composed of tWo members or parts, one of which members has a thin fiat disk with a central, upright socket, and the other member has a thin, flat disk With a central, upright shank, said socket being internally screw-threaded for lockingengagement with said shank Which is outwardly screw-threaded to correspond thereto, and said socket with its engaging shank being inserted in the eyelet-hole 0n the line of 1acng-strain, and the .inner faces of both disks iirmlybinding or holding the lacingcord by frictional, clamping contact there- With and thereby preventing any slipping of said cord on the entire lacing-line, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

MARTHA R. BARKER. Vitnesses:

JOHN E. JONES, L. M. JONES. 

